BENTON — The Russellville Cyclones were supposed to face Little Rock Christian on their home field to open the Central Arkansas Invitational at noon Thursday, but due to heavy rains that soaked Little Rock the game was pushed back to 5 p.m. and moved to Benton.

The changes certainly didn’t favor the designated home team as the Russellville pitching staff stymied the Warriors in an 8-0 win in five innings.

The Cyclones (7-2, 2-0 6A/7A Central) pitched a no-hitter — and were a walk away from a perfect game — as starter Cody Jones (1-0) earned the win. He pitched four innings, faced 14 batters and walked just one while striking out nine.

Derek Birginske closed out the game with an inning pitched. He faced four batters and struck out three.

Little Rock Christian had just three baserunners, two of which reached on errors.

Russellville opened the first inning with singles by Jones, Frank Chiolino and Birginske, and the latter brought home Jones. Cody Cooper singled in Chiolino and Eric Turner brought home Birginske and Cooper with a single to give the Cyclones a 4-0 lead.

Reasoner led off the second with a single and Jones followed with a single of his own. Birginske ripped a double to score Reasoner and Jones, but was thrown out as he tried to reach third — Russellville 6, Christian 0.

The Cyclones removed any doubt about the outcome with a pair of runs in the third. Hayden Hipps led off with a single, Mike Cowles was hit by a pitch and Mitch Mullen drew a walk to load the bases. Reasoner was hit by a pitch, which scored Hipps, and Jones reached on an error to score Cowles.

Russellville will play the winner between Fayetteville and Sylvan Hills at 3 p.m. today. If they win, the Cyclones will play again at 8 p.m. If they lose, they will be off until Saturday.